The Cuban regime, through its media machinery, is once again diverting attention from a problem that is overflowing the streets of the country: the growing population of homeless individuals.
A report broadcast by Canal Caribe, titled "Actions to Prevent Wandering Behavior in Cuba," identifies addiction as the main culprit, while avoiding mention of the deep structural roots and the state's failure to address the crisis.
The official journalist Talia González acknowledges that the images of beggars on the streets of Cuba are painful and concerning. However, as the report progresses, the responsibility shifts from the economic crisis—which is barely mentioned—to alleged individual poor decisions and family issues.
Dr. Miriam Brito, director of the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana, points to three causes: elderly individuals abandoned by relatives who emigrate, Cubans who lose everything after failed attempts to leave the country, and people who end up on the streets due to addictions. It's a convenient narrative for the regime, which avoids confronting its inability to provide real solutions.
Belkis Delgado, director of Social Prevention, admitted what every Cuban already knows: there is no effective intersectoral collaboration. The government has failed to reintegrate these individuals into professional life, return them to their families, or protect dependent elderly individuals.
The figures are not provided, but the phenomenon is growing. Increasingly, young people and women are seen begging on the streets of an island that the regime continues to market as a paradise. The report, far from accepting blame, concludes by recalling the laws that impose fines on those who wander or force others to do so, as if repression were the solution.
The state admits it lacks the resources to care for everyone. The economic crisis, rampant inflation, miserable wages, lack of medicines and food, massive exodus, and social exclusion are direct consequences of a failing system, but the regime prefers to blame drugs rather than acknowledge its collapse.
The reality is impossible to hide. The streets of Cuba are filled with beggars, while the government seeks excuses and empty speeches. Politics has not solved problems that only freedom, prosperity, and real change could address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Begging and the Social Crisis in Cuba
Why has the population of homeless individuals increased in Cuba?
The increase in the population of homeless people in Cuba is mainly due to the economic crisis, characterized by a shortage of basic goods, inflation, and low wages. Factors such as the emigration of family members and the government's failure to provide effective solutions also contribute to this phenomenon.
What does the Cuban government argue about the increase in beggars on the streets?
The Cuban government blames addictions and family problems as the main causes of the increase in homelessness, shifting responsibility away from its role in the country's economic and social crisis. This narrative distracts from the structural causes of poverty and the regime's ineffectiveness in addressing the situation.
How has the population responded to the situation of the elderly on the streets?
The population has reacted with outrage and sadness to the situation of elderly people being abandoned on the streets. Social media has been flooded with criticisms of the government for its inability to protect the most vulnerable sectors, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the regime's management.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the crisis of begging?
The Cuban government has announced plans to remove beggars from the streets, but the actions have been insufficient and have not addressed the structural causes of poverty. The lack of resources and effective intersectoral work remains a problem, leaving many homeless individuals in vulnerable situations.
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